It's almost baseball!

Well SHB baseball fans, the schedule has been released and practice starts today, so baseball is practically here! Can't wait? Why should we!

Let's recap, shall we? Last year at this time, a bunch of 7th graders decided it was time to organize and compete in their school colors for the first time in their baseball careers. This group was quickly joined by three 8th-graders, inexplicably forcing them into the 8-1 Division of the SF Parish & School Baseball League. No matter. The group banded and bonded, going 6-2, making the playoffs as the #2 seed, and meeting their rival St. Cecilia in the championship game, losing a well fought battle against the likes of Slade Mahoney (St. Ignatius freshman team) and Cole Schmitz (Sacred Heart freshman team), who threw a 1-hitter in the championship game. 

Will this season be a revenge tour? Not necessary. The competition has graduated, and our now 8th graders will be facing last year's 7th graders, while significantly upgrading talent. Joining last year's stellar core of:
Ryley Acerat
Liam Campbell
John Carey
Stephen Everest
Andrew Ferrero
Morgan Law
Stephen Page

will be some serious new talent:
Ryan Clark
John Kevane
Nick Stinn
and "as available" Joseph Ladd (meaning we have to drag him off the golf course!)

And yet it gets better. While ably coached last year by Scott and Drew, this year SHB's own legendary PE Teacher Glen Bowers (i.e, "Coachie") has come out of coaching retirement just to lead this group! Want more? Our very own world's greatest English Teach and all around talent Mr. Estrada (i.e., "Mr. Estrada") has succumbed to two years of pleas from his student/players, and joins Coachie's staff as Asst. Coach. For both, having found themselves attending most of the games last year anyways, it was a natural progression to joining the boys in the dugout.

How good is this team? Can you say 8 SF Little League All Stars? Can you say seasoned veterans? Can you say top-notch coaching? Perhaps you can whisper "domination?" Suffice it to say, the Parish League trembles in anticipation of the fight for second place to which they have been consigned, while SHB parents are upgrading their flash cards and cameras in preparation of highlights and web gems.

So hop on the bandwagon, SHB Parents and supporters - it's going to be a wild ride!